“And Jesus full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the spirit in the wilderness for 40 days, being tempted by the devil.”
– Luke 4:1
Notice, and this is a huge theme, both in the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, which Luke also writes, notice that twice in Luke 4:1, we see the Spirit in relationship to Jesus, the Holy Spirit. Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for 40 days, being tempted by the devil.
If you are in Christ, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Take comfort in this today.
So full of the Holy Spirit, being led by the Spirit. And even into the wilderness where he is tempted by the devil. And these three temptations that we read about in Luke 4, and Jesus overcomes them all. He is full of the Holy Spirit because he is walking in step with the Holy Spirit. Now, you just think about how this theme progresses, not just in Jesus’ life, but then when we think about the book of Acts, “You will receive power,” Jesus says, “When the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you’ll be my witnesses.” And the Holy Spirit comes and Pentecost like totally turns everything upside down, just as Jesus had promised. Everything in the Christian life hinges on the Holy Spirit of God, everything.
God Will Always Be With Us
When we come to faith in Christ, it’s because the Holy Spirit of God is working in our minds, and our hearts. Opening our eyes and our hearts to trust in Jesus. And then from that point, from the point of salvation, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. God puts His Spirit inside of us. This is the promise from Ezekiel 36, “I’ll put a new spirit in you.” This is what Jesus promised throughout the gospels. “I will give you my spirit.” This is what we say in our church, every single Sunday, when we leave, Jesus saying, “I will be with you always to the end of the age.”
Luke 4:1 Reminds Us We Are Called To Live By The Power Of God
So, how is Jesus with us? He is with us by His Spirit in us. So, let this verse, Luke 4:1 be a reminder to you today, Christian. A reminder that you are not called to live today a natural life. You are called to live a supernatural life, empowered. Not by your flesh or not by what you can manufacture, or make happen on your own. You are called to live today by the power of the Holy Spirit of God who lives and dwells in you. Oh, God help us to live today full of your Holy Spirit. To walk in step with your Holy Spirit, to do all that we do today, directed by your Holy Spirit. Lord, help us to see our lives this way.
Luke 4:1 Prays That We Be Lead By God’s Spirit
Not as natural, but as supernatural, God in everything we do guide our every thought. Our every desire, our every decision, our every word, in everything from home, to work, to interactions with people who don’t know you, to interactions with brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, in all that we do when we’re alone. When we’re around others, direct, lead, guide us by your Holy Spirit. We pray. May we live today just as Jesus lived full of the Holy Spirit, may we be led by your Spirit. And when we face temptation all day long today, God, we pray for your power to overcome temptation. For your power, your supernatural power to resist sin, and to walk in step with your Spirit.
And we pray that your Spirit would do what you have promised we would be able to do through the power of your Spirit. Enable us to be witnesses today, to who Jesus is, and what Jesus has done for the salvation of people around us. So God, help us to live a Spirit-filled life today, a supernatural life today, and every single day, we pray. Transformed the way we view our lives according to your Spirit in us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
David Platt serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Radical, an organization that helps people follow Jesus and make him known in their neighborhood and all nations.
David received his B.A. from the University of Georgia and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Some of his published works include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, and Don’t Hold Back.
He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children.
